The Higher Education Legal Conference is an annual event organized by the Boston Bar Association (BBA) that brings together college and university in-house legal departments, administrators, and firm practitioners to discuss the complex legal needs of higher education institutions in a changing world.
The conference covers a range of key topics pertinent to the higher education sector, including student affairs, labor and employment, regulatory issues, intellectual property, internal governance, and tax matters. Attendees engage in discussions and sessions designed to address the evolving challenges faced by educational institutions.
In addition to informative sessions, the event offers practical opportunities for networking among peers, providing a platform for professionals to connect and share insights. The conference also features notable speakers who are experts in their respective fields, contributing valuable perspectives to the discourse.
This conference is ideal for legal professionals working within or alongside higher education institutions, including in-house counsel, administrators, and private practitioners. Attending provides a unique opportunity to stay informed about current legal trends affecting the education sector and to collaborate with colleagues facing similar challenges.
Categories
Speakers(29)
Abra Francois
General Counsel & Vice President of Legal Affairs at Curry College
Abra Francois serves as General Counsel & Vice President of Legal Affairs at Curry College, overseeing legal matters.
Alexandra A. Mitropoulos
Senior Counsel at Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP
Alexandra A. Mitropoulos is Senior Counsel at Hirsch Roberts Weinstein LLP, focusing on higher education law.
Alexandra Arnold
Associate at Cloherty & Steinberg LLP
Alexandra Arnold is an Associate at Cloherty & Steinberg LLP, where she focuses on litigation matters, including those involving educational institutions.
Alyssa Cherubino
Associate Counsel at University of Massachusetts
Alyssa Cherubino serves as Associate Counsel at the University of Massachusetts, specializing in campus safety legal matters.
Andrea Joy Campbell
Attorney General at Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Andrea Joy Campbell serves as the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, leading the state's legal efforts and initiatives.
Angela W. Guo
Counsel at WilmerHale LLP
Angela W. Guo serves as Counsel at WilmerHale LLP, specializing in federal grant compliance.
Ann Mizner-McKay
Director of Risk Services and Assistant General Counsel at Northeastern University
Ann Mizner-McKay is the Director of Risk Services and Assistant General Counsel at Northeastern University, focusing on risk management.
B. Stephanie Siegmann
Partner at Hinckley Allen LLP
B. Stephanie Siegmann is a Partner at Hinckley Allen LLP, specializing in federal enforcement actions.
Brian LeBlanc
Supervisory Special Agent at Federal Bureau of Investigation (Boston Division)
Brian LeBlanc is a Supervisory Special Agent at the FBI's Boston Division, specializing in campus security.
Brigid Harrington
Senior Attorney at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Brigid Harrington is a Senior Attorney at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, specializing in insurance law.
Dan H. Berger
Partner at Green & Spiegel
Dan H. Berger is a Partner at Green & Spiegel, specializing in immigration law and policy.
David A. Bunis
Senior Counsel at Cloherty & Steinberg LLP
David A. Bunis is Senior Counsel at Cloherty & Steinberg LLP, specializing in federal research funding litigation.
Denise Barton
Chief Deputy General Counsel at University of Massachusetts
Denise Barton is the Chief Deputy General Counsel at the University of Massachusetts, providing legal guidance to the institution.
Dr. Ronald Schouten, MD, JD
Director at Massachusetts General Hospital
Dr. Ronald Schouten is the Director at Massachusetts General Hospital, focusing on campus safety and mental health.
Elizabeth J. McEvoy
Partner at Epstein Becker Green, P.C.
Elizabeth J. McEvoy is a Partner at Epstein Becker Green, P.C., focusing on compliance and enforcement actions.
Gerard J. Cedrone
Deputy State Solicitor at Office of the Attorney General
Gerard J. Cedrone is the Deputy State Solicitor at the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, focusing on appellate litigation.
Jeffrey J. Nolan
Partner at Holland & Knight
Jeffrey J. Nolan is a Partner at Holland & Knight, focusing on campus safety and security.
Katherine Dirks
Chief State Trial Counsel at Office of the Attorney General
Katherine Dirks is the Chief State Trial Counsel at the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, overseeing significant litigation matters.
Kathleen E. Dion
Partner at Robinson & Cole LLP
Kathleen E. Dion is a Partner at Robinson & Cole LLP, focusing on higher education policy.
Mark McPherson
Principal at Choate Hall & Stewart LLP
Mark McPherson is a Principal at Choate Hall & Stewart LLP, focusing on cybersecurity compliance.
Michael McGrath
Partner at Ropes and Gray
Michael McGrath is a Partner at Ropes and Gray, specializing in federal education policy.
Michael R. Perry
Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
Michael R. Perry is a Partner at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, specializing in insurance law.
Michelle Pascucci
State Trial Counsel at Office of the Attorney General
Michelle Pascucci serves as State Trial Counsel at the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, managing trial proceedings.
Paul G. Lannon
Partner at Holland & Knight LLP
Paul G. Lannon is a Partner at Holland & Knight LLP, focusing on labor and employment law, particularly within the higher education sector.
Sandra Torres
Senior Counsel and Chief Advisor – Global at Northeastern University
Sandra Torres serves as Senior Counsel and Chief Advisor – Global at Northeastern University, overseeing international legal matters.
Stephanie Charles
Associate General Counsel at Boston College
Stephanie Charles serves as Associate General Counsel at Boston College, focusing on insurance challenges.
Susan Church
Chief Operating Officer and Legal Advisor at Office for Refugees & Immigrants
Susan Church is the Chief Operating Officer and Legal Advisor at the Office for Refugees & Immigrants, focusing on immigration policies.
Tejal Patel
Associate Counsel at University of Massachusetts
Tejal Patel serves as Associate Counsel at the University of Massachusetts, specializing in immigration law.
Vanessa A. Arslanian
State Trial Counsel at Office of the Attorney General
Vanessa A. Arslanian serves as State Trial Counsel at the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General, handling various trial cases.
Event Details
- Date
- March 19, 2026
- Location
- 🇺🇸 Boston, United States
- UMASS Club
- Audience
- Legal professionals in higher education